"He was just hanging out outside, drinking his Rockstar energy drink when they came up," said Hughes, who was across the street, walking home. "They had him handcuffed on the ground."

Kirkland, who lived in a seventh floor unit, was arrested at 9:56 p.m. Thursday and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 10:51 p.m. on a single allegation of aggravated murder, jail records show.

Portland homicide detectives worked with the Oregon State Police Crime Lab to gather forensic evidence from the crime scene, which helped identify Kirkland, according to Sgt. Pete Simpson, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.

They then sought the aid of the marshal's task force to find and arrest him. Investigators also searched Kirkland's apartment Thursday, neighbors said.

Authorities described Kirkland as an acquaintance of Larson's but have provided no further details.

The arrest came about eight hours after relatives and friends held a memorial service for Larson at Wilhelm's Memorial in Southeast Portland.

"It's bittersweet. But you've got to be grateful for stuff like that," Monahan said. "It gives a little bit of closure on something so terrible."

Larson most recently worked for Affiliated Computer Services in Tigard and had attended Mt. Hood Communiity College. She moved to Oregon as a teenager after growing up in South Dakota, relatives said.

Monahan said he didn't know how Larson knew Kirkland but thanked the police for working to make an arrest.

Kirkland has a past criminal record.

He was convicted of fourth-degree assault in Multnomah County in 2002 and later violated probation in connection with that case.

In 2004, he was convicted of fourth-degree assault in Washington County. As part of that case, he was ordered to undergo anger-control treatment, participate in a batterer intervention program and domestic violence counseling, according to court records.

Tim Hower, a spokesman for the Larson family, issued this statement:
"The family would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau and the
detectives involved in the finding the person who took Jamie from our
lives.'' The family also thanked the U.S. Marshal's office and the state
police forensic lab.

"All involved did a fantastic job and our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of them,'' Hower wrote, on the family's behalf.

Detectives still hope to hear from anyone with information about Larson's killing or suspect Kirkland.

Police ask that anyone with information about the case contact Detective Molly Daul at 503-823-0991 or Molly.Daul@PortlandOregon.gov.